Illicit Affair (Published With Etluxocpub)

14 - Struggles

As the last confetti falls in my face and scans the crowd for his familiar face, I feel bubble of happiness engulf me. I felt Hunter squeeze my hands and I smiled lovingly to him. He has been a great source of joy when I was building myself up. He has help me stand and motivated me to strive hard to achieve my dreams and I am happy to share this moment with him.

I was given the mic and I readied myself for my speech. It is just a short and concise speech, not much of flowery word, I'm not cut for it.

"I am greatly thankful for this opportunity to use the knowledge I gain from studying, working, and observing to lead our company to better heights. I am always grateful to people who one way, or the other has greatly contributed to where I am now. I know my father would be happy as one of his dream has come true. To my mom and brother for giving what is best for me to the point of spoiling me. To the employees for the trust and support you have shown me since day one. Let us all work together to achieve greater heights for our company." I paused as the cheers and applause got louder and louder. "And lastly I'd like to thank my boyfriend for being a pillar of support while I was building myself, thank you and I love you, Hunter." I was stunned when the crowd went silent after my speech. I didn't expect this kind of silence after introducing Hunter. 

I look back at my mom and Connor but they are gone already. They are supposed to be by my side as I acknowledge my appointment. They should stand by me in this glorious moment. Some of the guest are leaving the banquet hall. What I didn't expect is the look of disappointment from some of the board members. The group from Marketing Department were all sobbing for I don't know reason. I really don't understand why they are crying this time, it is seems that my appointment has given them so much reason to cry.

I'm glad that even the emcee is teary eye and with her voice cracking. She was able to got hold of the audience to wait patiently. the emcee's commanding yet alluring voice comforted the audience right away.

"And after the wonderful speech from our new CEO, we will be serenaded by one of sought-after balladeer of all time, Mr. Ariel Rivera." The emcee announce that caught the attention of the audience. I am glad that this had turned the mood of the event.

As the singer serenade the audience, I went to look for my mom and bro but to my dismay I was informed that they left earlier. I am trying to call Connor, but he is not answering me, even mom is ignoring my calls. What's with my family? Why they left even when the banquet is not yet done.

I went back to the hall to meet our guest and the investor. It seems that the atmosphere inside is gloomy, but I just shrugged it off. Dinner was served and it seems that the mood lightened up a bit. I was enjoying the blissful ambience around me. I finally made it, I finally have the company back to us. No more intruder, no more outsider. But despite this victory I felt empty. The happiness that should feel is not there. I am supposed to be happy, but my family is not with me. They walk out on me on my glorious moment. Aren't they happy that our company is ours fully to control again? They should shared this success with me. I am still bothered with Connor's outburst earlier. He couldn't have mean it when he said that Zander is the reason why our company is back on its feet again.

As dance floor is now open, Hunter invited me to dance. As we dance he kept on patting my back and kissing my forehead. Hunter is whispering sweet nothing in my ears, he is trying to calm me down but my senses is wayward. I keep looking for that one person. I am vaguely aware of the turmoil that is going on my mind. I am so bothered about Zander. He is occupying my mind, he is making me waver.  Shit self! Zander will always be Zander in your life. just admit it. but I am hugging Hunter at the moment and I feel odd with this impose intimacy. I feel like I am cheating with whom to whom i dont know, but my heart is heavy.

"Relax hon, all things will come to pass. It will settle down." Hunter continuously reassured me. But his reassurance just make my heart heavier than it is. why I can't feel the warmth in Hunter's embrace? Why I can't calm even when Hunter is embracing me.

The event went well as it is planned but it left a bitter after taste. I should be happy now that the company is totally mine but unfortunately the feeling of emptiness lingers. The lingering feeling of emptiness is undeniably questonable. At this moment I want to question my sanity.

Sunday come and go with me staying on bed most of the day. I hadn't been good boyfriend to Hunter and I know that I am neglecting Hunter just because I'm not really in good mood. Hunter went out to accompany Aimee for her Sunday shopping. I opted to stay at home and let them have their me time together.

Going back to work on Monday was a struggle. I was dreading going back to work for unknown reason. I know its unreasonable but there this dark clouds hanging on.

When we arrive at the CEO floor, there is uncanny stillness amongst the people there even they are busy. Usually they are noisy at this hour. When we pass by their area, they just greet us and continue whatever they are doing. Gone were the day that they are so happy I want to join them.

I just nodded at them and went inside my office while Hunter went into his office. As Monday is board member meeting with department heads. I reschedule it after lunch, and everyone agreed. I spend the entire morning sorting out business proposal that Hunter presented to me. These are proposal that he thinks that would be beneficial to the company and at the same time unique. I told him to segregate business proposal from regional business and from those area that we don't have investment yet. I want us to the leader in the expansion of on our line of business. With the list of proposal I have in hand, I went ahead of the meeting room to prepare for the presentation. I ask Hunter to do the presentation of the proposal he has chosen and convince the bord member to act upon it.

As Hunter begins his presentation, I see some resentment from the people around, but I did not mind and encourage Hunter to continue on.

"....... I think that the most promising company that we would look into is this hotel chains in Mindanao. They need investor to start a new resort hotel in the city which is first. So please look at the folders Infront of you and study their different business projection I made. If you are confident and there is consensus on the choice, we could set a meeting with their representative the soonest the possible and we can also send representative for site visit." Hunter ends his presentation.

I can see that the those who are in attendance is impressed with Hunter's presentation.

"Sir, the resort hotel is the most promising and I think that we from the marketing department has a more detail or an in dept business plan." Marketing Dept head said.

"We will meet again this Friday for the final choice so we can delegate task to make this business plan a success. Team leader for this endeavor will be chosen by ballot vote from the executives, board members and department heads." I said and it seems they are agreeable this time.

"Miss E, make a schedule for Friday meeting and make sure that all pertinent data is on my table by tomorrow." I spoke. "That's all for now, if you don't have anything to add meeting is adjourn."

There is a shift in the mood as we leave the meeting room. It seems that they see Hunter in better light, I hope this continue. As I walk back to the office, I saw the bitch talking to one of the clerk in the secretarial pool. They are seemed to be intimate with the way how the guy touches the bitch. So without Zander she is flirting with another guy. Miss E just pass by the two and even pat the guys back.

"Hurry up love birds, it's time to go back to work." I heard miss E reprimanding them playfully.

The bitch went ahead but before that she blow a kiss to the guy and the guy blushed profusely. What just I did witness?

I have to sort out the papers in my table to prepare for Friday's business plan presentation. I want the majority to choose the resort hotel in Mindanao. If ever they will choose that, we will be the first major company to invest in that part of the world.

Again I'm looking at Zander's letter as I am getting pencil. I am tempted to read it but I am not brave now. So I'll read it when I'm brave enough to know about it but for now let me just ignore this.

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****there are some typo, grammar error pls bear with me